Page 58 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
Except now my brother and his new, filthy, four-legged friend are messing up my plans.
“Charlie,” I say as firmly as I can manage. “That fucking thing is not living here.”
Charlie doesn’t say anything, resuming dabbing antiseptic on the dog's matted leg. It bares its teeth for a moment, but Charlie hums and it doesn’t snap at him. It simply whines a little and licks its nose, looking away.
Of course. Charlie, the bastard, has always had a way of calming animals and children.
“I’m serious Charlie. There’s no way it’s living here.”
He still doesn't answer me.
“Stop ignoring me, you mute and listen. I’m not okay with this. And you just wait till Mitch sees it. He’s going to blow a–"
“Wait till Mitch sees what?”
I was so busy ranting at Charlie that I didn’t realize Mitch had returned with Patty and her daughters in tow.
I immediately point at Charlie like a kid tattling to his mother. "Charlie brought a stray dog home and it's making a mess."
Maddie who is sitting in Patty's arms with her eyes sliding shut perks up and her eyes fly open the dog.
“Is that a doggie?" She immediately starts kicking to be let down. When Patty obliges, she runs for the dog but Charlie blocks her out with a hand.
“Not yet little one," he says with a gentle smile “The doggy is hurt and so he might be a little aggressive right now.”
“Is that a stray?” Patty says, concern in her features. Good. So at least I know I have one reasonable person on my side.
“Aww… he's so cute mommy," Katie says. "Can we keep him?"
I frown at her. My Katie is usually so sensible.
"I don't know honey. And don't touch it Maddie, it might be sick."
"It's not," Charlie says. "I checked."
"Pleasecan we keep him?" Katie asks again and when Charlie nods, she claps her delight.
So it’s three versus two.
I look at Mitch. Surely Mitch will set everyone straight. We can’t keep a stray dog, especially not one like this. He’s basically part wild animal.
But Mitch isn't saying anything and that's making me nervous.
"We can't keep a dog, Mitch," I say. "We don't have the space."
"He can sleep in the kitchen," Charlie says. "And as for space, well he has a yard to run around in and two thousand acres of timberland just outside."
"They poop and pee everywhere." I say.
"So do you, and we still keep you around." Charlie quips, making Katie giggle.
I flash him the middle finger
"Language," Patty says.
"I didn’t say anything."
"Yeah, but it's the meaning that counts."
